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Eigenlabs Eigenharp Tau - Performance Instrument/Controller (Black)

  • Price: $2,994.50
  • Free Shipping (USA)
  • Usually ships in 2-4 weeks

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    This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.

    International orders*
    For international orders, credit cards will be charged at time you place your order.
  • B&H # EITXBXB
  • Mfr# TXBXB

Product Highlights

  • 84 Playing Keys Total
  • 10-bit (1024 Values) Key Resolution
  • Strip Controller
  • Breath Controller
  • 1500 Percussion and Drum Loops
  • Play Soundfonts and Audio Units Plug-Ins
  • MIDI Control
  • Mac OS X

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The Eigenharp Tau from Eigenlabs is a performance instrument/controller that allows a musician to play and improvise using a limitless range of sounds with virtuosic skill. It delivers endless permutations for control and expression of either the supplied instrument sounds, or of virtual instruments from other manufacturers. Around the size of an electric guitar, it is ideal for gigging and can do almost everything that its big brother the Eigenharp Alpha can do.

The instrument consists of a unique control "surface" containing a total of 84 highly sensitive playing keys that are internally sampled at 2,000 samples per second to deliver incredibly detailed control nuances. The sampling is also applied to the strip controller and the breath controller, providing almost endless possibilities for flexible keyboard layouts, fast instrument switching, and expressive musical control.

The Tau, when connected to a required Mac computer, can play and record loops, change scale and key, transpose, alter tempo, program beats, create arrangements, switch and layer multiple sounds, all while the musician is performing live on stage. Additionally for the solo performer, it can control an entire set. A very comprehensive built-in sequencer works for both percussion sounds and pitched instruments.

A feature rich software system provides a wealth of musical performance features that includes the already mentioned playback of the instrument's own native sounds, along with many common software plug-ins, Soundfonts, or external MIDI instruments via the MIDI outputs available on the included base station. The entire system has been built to withstand the rigors of live performance, and since all sound generation takes place on the computer, the controller will never become obsolete.

Unique performance instrument/controller
84 playing keys, strip controller and breath pipe
The keys use a unique 3D technology which is not only incredibly sensitive, down to the width of a micron, but also detects movement in 5 directions - pressure for volume, side to side for effects and up down for pitch
All control points sampled at rates far in excess of even the latest MIDI specification, delivering very detailed nuances
Eigenlabs software is based on a modular synthesis model that allows control inputs to be routed and manipulated by the user to achieve a wide variety of effects
Almost any control from the "keyboard" or MIDI inputs can be used to manipulate any parameter in the system
In addition, these effects are fully polyphonic allowing for control of each note individually
Includes 1,500 AIFF format (time-stretch and tempo change capable) percussion and drum loops, Sampletekk Black Grand Steinway D, Sampletekk Tubed Rhodes, Sampletekk Tubed 'Wurli' electric piano, Camel Audio's Eigenlabs Player version of "Alchemy" and the company's physical models of a cello and clarinet
The EigenD software is also capable of using any third-party SoundFonts, sample instruments and Audio Units virtual instruments
The breath pipe can be used to articulate notes just like a traditional wind instrument, or it can be used to control samples, effects and filters - or it can be hooked up to control any parameter of a sound, even the tempo
The strip controller can be used to pitch bend, bring in loops and add effects and filters
For solely percussion use, the user can map as many keys as required to drum kits and drum samples
Ships with a range of video tutorials and a Quick Reference Guide
Modular Synthesis Modules
  • Soundfont oscillator (SF2 files, other sampler formats such as ESX24 can be used via CDXtract) with ability to cross fade between two sample sets on key yaw
  • AHDSR envelope generator (with complex functions for key press shaping)
  • Drummer (plays AIFF loop files with tempo time stretching)
  • Sine/Sawtooth/Square oscillator
  • High-, Low-, Band-pass filter
  • Ladder filter
  • Gain control
  • Mixer with effects sends/returns and stereo panning
  • Cello physical model (can be bowed via strip controllers, breath pipe or a key)
  • Clarinet physical model
  • Audio Units host
  • Hardware MIDI Output interface
  • Hardware MIDI Input interface
  • Convolution engine
  • Multi-tap, multi-line delay
  • Value range changer
  • Keyboard splitting, routing, and course definition
  • Recording and playback of takes
  • Musical Scales and pitch bending
  • Metronome for musical clock generation (including a tap tempo function to set tempo from a key)
  • String model to impose string-like or wind instrument type monophony
  • Grouping of modules into defined software instruments
Scales
  • Scales can be defined in an instrument, or can be associated with a key routing so that the scale, octave and tonic change according to how the instrument is being played
  • 86 built-in scales
Event Triggering
The system allows defined events to take place according to a variety of triggering actions. Events that can be triggered include:

  • Global and individual instrument mixer channel volume changes
  • Parameter and configuration changes
  • Various actions in the graphical interface
  • Starting and Stopping of the metronomes
  • Playback of recorded takes
  • Initiation of a new recording
  • Starting and stopping drum loops
  • Playback of a single note
  • Changing key
  • Changing scale
  • Changing tempo


These actions can be triggered by various modules, which currently include:

  • Talkers - triggering an action mapped to a specific keypress
  • Scheduler - triggering actions at times within a song
  • Arranger - triggering according to a repeated pattern (i.e. step sequencing)
  • Talker actions can also be triggered by MIDI input notes from external MIDI hardware, so MIDI foot boards can be used, for example, to change key or tonic, or tempo, while playing
Polyphony Maximum number of concurrent notes: at least 40
Maximum number of simultaneously starting notes within 5mS: at least 8
Latency Less than 7mS end to end (from key press to sound)
Sample Rates 44.1, 48 and 96khz
Controllers 72 x Keys on the main keyboard
12 x Percussion keys on the lower part of the instrument
8 x Mode key
1 x Breath pipe
1 x Strip controller 1
Please Note:

All controllers sampled at 2,000 samples/second with 10-bit (1024 value) resolution

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Formats File formats: SF2 (Soundfont 2) and AIFF (Apple Loop)
Plug-in formats: Audio Units and Eigenlabs native instruments
MIDI 2 x 5-pin DIN MIDI In/Out via USB MIDI interface
Headphone Output 24-bit/48kHz sampling rate, Sigma-Delta digital to analog converter
Software programmable volume
Mute, soft ramp and zero cross detection for volume adjustment
94dB signal to noise ratio
THD: < 0.1% at 1kHz, 30Ω load at -3.0dBfs
Up to 75mW output on a 3.5mm mini jack socket
System Requirements Required
Apple computer with 2GHz or higher Intel processor
Mac OS X 10.4 or higher
2GB RAM
10GB hard drive space
USB 2.0 compatible USB port

Recommended
CoreAudio compatible audio hardware
4GB RAM minimum for larger SoundFonts
Additional 15GB free hard drive space for downloadable additional free Soundfonts and Loops
CoreMidi compatible MIDI hardware
Dimensions (WxDxH) Alpha: 2.9 x 1 x 47.2" (7.3 x 2.5 x 120cm) including breath pipe
Base Station: 6.7 x 6.5 x 2" (17 x 16.6 x 5cm)
Weight Alpha: 4.6 lb (2.1kg)
Base Station: 3.5 lb (1.6kg including power supply and cable)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

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EigenlabsEigenharp Tau - Performance Instrument/Controller (Black)
 
5.0

(based on 1 review)

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(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

Amazing Powerful digital Instrument

By tefman3d

from Wash., D.C.

About Me Experienced

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Clear Sound
  • Compact
  • Deep
  • Easy To Use
  • Expressive
  • Lightweight
  • Reprogrammable
  • Sensitive
  • The future
  • Versatile

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Home Studio
    • Performances
    • Professional Recording
    • Visual MusicVJ

    Comments about Eigenlabs Eigenharp Tau - Performance Instrument/Controller (Black):

    I am a windsynth player, have been since the late 1980s.This controller is the bomb! The Tau is Best & most responsive midi controller and virtual instrument/softsynth controller I've ever played. [...]And I got a hard case! Thanks Eigenlabs & B and H!Teflon3d

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    Batteries & Power

    Eigenlabs -  Basestation Pro
    • Price: $898.95
     

    This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.

    Cables

    Eigenlabs -  Eigenharp Alpha and Tau Cable (19.7 ft)
    • Price: $58.95
     

    This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.

    Cases & Protection

    Eigenlabs -  Tau Hiscox Case - For Eigenharp Tau
    • Price: $239.95
     

    This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.

    Additional Hardware

    Eigenlabs -  Base Station - Eigenharp Interface
    • Price: $448.95
     

    This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.

    Care & Cleaning

    Eigenlabs -  Mouthpiece - For Eigenharp Alpha, Tau and Pico (White)
    • Price: $7.95
     

    This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 2-4 weeks (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.

    What's in the Box

    Eigenlabs Eigenharp Tau - Performance Instrument/Controller (Black)
    • Standard Base Station
    • Power Cable
    • 6m Controller to Base Station Cable
    • 2m Base Station to Computer (USB) Cable
    • 8GB USB Stick
    • Breath Pipe
    • 2 x Mouthpieces
    • Soft Case
    • Laptop/Base Station and Cables Carry Bag
    • Leather Strap
    • One (1) Year Warranty
     
     
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